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Ophelia | Lisa Klein

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It seems there is something in the tragedy of Hamlet that speaks to us all. I think I myself have seen three different movie versions, though I never did make it all the way through the one I most wanted to see. Lisa Klein, a one-time professor of English, has been dissatisfied with the representations of Ophelia, and here given us yet another version of the story. If paired with the play in schools, it might make the study a little less irksome to those who find Shakespeare difficult to manage.

Through Ophelia’s own eyes we watch her life unfold. The loss of her mother at birth, leading to her hardened father, a dear brother. But her father’s courtly aspirations soon separate Ophelia from this, the little family she has, leaving her stranded amongst ladies who want little to do with her. Though she has Queen Gertrude’s favor, this does not ease all her pains. Still, it is a help. And when she learns how to please her matron Elnora as well, she settles into a rhythm. In these things she is happy, and for a time, learns to keep it so.

While she will never take to her sewing, and is still prone to speak her mind, Ophelia learns the arts of observance and wit. And Elnora, much pleased with her remedies, has left her to study not only herbs, but whatever she chooses, as often as she likes. The life of study, which she knew growing up with her brother Laertes, more suits her.

Yet still life at the castle feels like nothing more than a cage. A sentiment which Prince Hamlet, returned from study abroad, commiserates with fully. Though each knows it to be wrong, the pair is drawn together with a strength it is beyond them to deny. Horatio, Hamlet’s most trusted friend, becomes their lookout and only ally.

For a time, all is well. They have their love, and while hiding it strains Ophelia, even causes her to lose the Queen’s favor for a time, she would not give it up for anything. But upon the heels of their secret wedding comes much woe.

King Hamlet is slain. Too close to his passing, his Queen remarries his lustful brother, who is not fit to rule. Hamlet, claiming to have been told the truth by none other than his father’s spirit, becomes possessed with revenge–a path down which Ophelia cannot follow.

Soon all are drawn into the plot. The gentle Horatio, Ophelia’s father. Indeed, having stumbled upon the truth, and after showing her perhaps the largest kindness he ever has, her father is killed, and by none other than her own husband, who tried to come to her himself to beg forgiveness, only to have his wretched state leave him barred entry.

On and on the madness continues.

While first playing at a pretense, Hamlet is soon lost to his mind’s games and trials. Ophelia, following with her own pretense, hoping with it to win invisibility, at times seems lost as well. Through the gentle wisdom of Hortaio, she is brought to realize that she works against herself–drawing more attention rather than less. Thus, with his help, she devises a plan.

Brewing a potion, she fakes her own death–just in time to cheat King Claudius of taking it–though a little too closely for comfort. The life she knew being lost for all time, Ophelia flees to France, where she is taken in at a convent.

Long fearful of her past, she does not fully divulge the truth of her situation to anyone until the birth of her son has come to pass. Any who still held doubts about her are quickly won over when they hear the news.

In time, she settles into her new role and place. And while the past will always haunt her and the future bring fear, Ophelia has learned much through her tribulations, and looks on each new day as a gift.

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I really, really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a great take on the historic tragedy. Klein should be much pleased with her Ophelia, who transcends, despite all odds.

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